Lions converting on third down is key to beating Packers on Sunday

Third downs have always been tough for the Detroit Lions offensively. It’s imperative on Sunday that they find a way to covert in clutch moments.

The Detroit Lions‘ 27-23 choke to the Chicago Bears last Sunday was not pleasant to say the least. Things don’t become any easier tomorrow as Detroit is taking on the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau.

While there were a multitude of things that caused the Lions to lose last weekend, one glaring thing was third down conversions. Detroit went a mere 6/16 on third down, which equals out to 37.5% Definitely not the recipe for success right there.

Failing to convert on third down has always been a common theme for Detroit. For some reason, the offense just can’t seem to move the chains consistently, especially in the second half. Now, this low third down conversion percentage is partly due to play calling. While it is the player’s jobs to go out there and play, it doesn’t help when they get put in a bad situation from the get-go.

Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevel looked as if he learned from his predecessors. It was the same old “run on first down, run on second down. Oh look, now we’re in a third and long situation.” This once again, forced quarterback Matthew Stafford to play hero ball and make some miraculous play. This just isn’t the way to win in the National Football League.

I know it’s normal to be in third and long situations. But the Detroit Lions do it at a consistent rate, more than they should be in all honesty. Even against a team like the Chicago Bears, it’ll eventually come back to bite you, and it did.

Now, going up against Green Bay, the Lions can’t be consistently putting themselves in third and long situations if they want to win. All that does is increases the chance of Stafford forcing a throw, and quickly giving the ball back to a Hall of Fame quarterback.